Disposable capsule for machines for the dispensing of infused beverages

ABSTRACT

A disposable capsule useful in beverage machines is disclosed. The capsule includes a cup-shaped, hollow body which holds a dose of product. The hollow body has an opening in the bottom and a flange seal on the peripheral edge of a peripheral wall. A film is applied on the bottom inside the hollow body to seal the opening. An insert is housed in the hollow body having a frustum-conical disk-like portion in whose mantle a plurality of through openings are formed and in whose cavity punching elements are formed, and a stem axially extending from the top of the frustum-conical disk-like portion. The insert is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position and an opening position. The frustum-conical, disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow body and the stem presses against the cover deforming it outwardly, and an opening position. The free end of the stem is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with the flange and the disk-like portion is flattened on the bottom with the punching elements tearing the inner film.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the preparation of infused beverages such as coffee, tea, herbal teas and the like, but also to the preparation of beverages based on syrups, liquid and powder concentrates starting from disposable capsules. The invention particularly relates to a disposable single-dose or multi-dose capsule for machines for the dispensing of such beverages.

BACKGROUND

Disposable capsules used in dispensing machines of infused beverages contain a product in a granular or particulate form, for example coffee. It is known that a final beverage is obtained through an “infusion” process that consists in making an infusion liquid supplied under pressure and at elevated temperature, typically water, to cross the capsule containing the granular or particulate product. The infusion liquid coming out from the capsule enriched by the aroma of the granular or particulate product is the desired beverage, which is suitably channeled within a dispensing machine and is dispensed from a dispensing head e.g. into a cup.

Known disposable capsules comprise a cup-shaped hollow body, whose open top is provided with a flange on which a cover generally formed of a gas-impermeable film is applied. This film has the function to seal the cavity of the cup-shaped body so as to allow preservation over time of the granular or particulate product contained therein.

During the infusion process, the capsule is inserted into an infusion chamber of a dispensing machine and subsequently perforated with special perforating members at the bottom of the cup-shaped body and at its top, which is sealed by the gas-impermeable film. The holes thus made allow passage of a flow of infusion liquid through the capsule from one of its ends to the opposite end. Depending on the type of dispensing machine, the infusion liquid may flow from the bottom of the cup-shaped body towards the top or in the opposite direction.

Since an infused beverage prepared from the capsule is channeled within a dispensing machine and is dispensed from a dispensing head for example into a cup, it is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid taste contamination between different beverages produced one after the other, for example coffee, tea and chocolate, due to the presence of beverage residues after every infusion cycle. Residues typically remain on the perforating members and also inside the channels formed in the dispensing head.

In order to overcome this drawback capsules for the preparation of infused beverages have been developed which are opened by special opening means enclosed in the capsules exploiting the pressure exerted by the infusion liquid injected inside the capsule. The infused beverage exits the dispensing machine directly from the capsule without interacting with channels, thus avoiding any possible taste contamination among different beverages.

An example of such a capsule is described in European patent EP 1472156 B1. The capsule comprises a closed chamber containing a granular or particulate product and means adapted to allow opening of the capsule, wherein opening is obtained due to a relative movement between the opening means and a sealing film of the closed chamber. The relative movement is caused by the pressure increase occurring within the chamber upon injection of the infusion liquid. According to an embodiment, the opening means comprise a plurality of sharpened elements mounted on a supporting disc housed on the bottom of the capsule below the sealing film of the chamber. Once perforated the film, the infused beverage coming out from the chamber passes through the channels that are formed between the sealing film and the sharpened elements, and is collected on the bottom of the capsule wherein a dispensing opening is formed. The relative movement particularly occurs beyond a pressure threshold, which allows to overcome the mechanical resistance opposed by the opening means, as well as by the sealing film.

A problem of this type of capsules is the difficulty to accurately predict the pressure threshold above which opening of the capsule takes place. The internal pressure may in fact depend on the structure of the sealing film, its thickness and the material of which it is made, as well as on the shape and size of the sharpened elements, which are affected by manufacturing tolerances.

The variability of the pressure threshold upon which the opening means are activated determines a variability of the flow of infusion liquid through the product contained in the capsule, which results in infused beverages having variable organoleptic properties and that may not appreciated by the users.

Another example of a capsule for the preparation of infused beverages that allows an infused beverage to be dispensed from the dispensing machine directly from the capsule without interacting with suitable dispensing channels, thus avoiding any possible taste contamination among different beverages, is described in the international publication WO 2012/121597 A1.

This capsule comprises a cup-shaped body adapted to receive a measured dose of a granular or particulate product. The cup-shaped body comprises a peripheral wall and a bottom wall having a frusto-conical shape wherein a plurality of through openings are formed. The cup-shaped body is sealed at the top by a cover fixed on a flange of the peripheral wall and at the bottom by a film arranged under the bottom wall, thus exposed to the outside of the cup-shaped body.

On the surface of the bottom wall facing the film that seals the cup-shaped body one or more cutting elements are formed. On the opposite surface of the bottom wall a column-like element is formed which extends up to the cover. The column-like element is hollow and at its free end facing the cover a plurality of indentations are formed.

The capsule described in the international publication WO 2012/121597 A1 is configured to be inserted in an infusion chamber of a machine for the preparation of infused beverages. An injector needle of the machine pierces the cover in correspondence of the cavity of the column-like element, whereby an infusion liquid fills this cavity and flows out into the cavity of the cup-shaped body of the capsule through the indentations formed at the free end of the column-shaped element. The injector needle is associated with a shaped element which, simultaneously with the perforation of the cover, presses the column-like element thus moving it relative to the peripheral wall of the cup-shaped body and causing a deformation of its bottom wall toward the film that seals the cup-shaped body. The cutting elements formed on the bottom wall pierce the film, thus allowing the infused beverage to flow out of the capsule body.

According to an embodiment of the capsule, a measured dose of a granular or particulate product may be enclosed between an annular filter internally applied to the cup-shaped body close to the bottom wall and a liquid-permeable or perforated film having an annular shape. The liquid-permeable or perforated film is fixed at its inner circumference to the column-shaped element and at its outer circumference to the peripheral wall at an intermediate position in the axial direction between the bottom wall and the cover.

This type of capsule allows to obtain opening of the capsule from its inside mechanically, without depending on a predefined pressure threshold exerted by the infusion liquid injected into the product contained in the capsule body.

The configuration of the capsule can be improved concerning the arrangement of some of its components/parts and the movement of the column-like element and of the bottom wall in the axial direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a disposable capsule for dispensing machines of infused beverages, as well as beverages based on syrups, liquid and powder concentrates, which allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

This problem is solved by a disposable capsule according to claim 1. Preferred features of the present invention are object of the dependent claims.

An idea of solution underlying the invention is to realize a capsule provided with opening means housed in a cavity sealed by a top cover film and an bottom inner film, wherein the opening means comprise an insert axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein it rests on the bottom of the capsule cavity with a frusto-conical portion thereof and presses against the top cover film of the capsule with a stem thereof thus deforming the top cover film outwards, and an opening position, wherein by acting on the stem the insert is made to move in the axial direction towards the bottom of the capsule cavity and a plurality of punching elements formed in its frusto-conical portion interfere with the bottom inner film thus tearing it open.

Similarly to the capsule described in the international publication WO 2012/121597 A1 discussed above, opening of the capsule according to the invention occurs mechanically from the inside due to the thrust exerted on the insert stem and to the following deformation of the insert frustum-conical portion on which the punching elements are formed.

With respect to disposable capsules provided with opening means that are hydraulic actuated by the pressure of the infusion liquid, the capsule according to the invention does not have any pressure threshold of the opening means, thus providing the advantage to ensure constant organoleptic properties of the beverages produced.

The provision of an insert housed in the capsule body and comprising a stem and a frustum-conical shaped portion leads to capsule having a structure that is remarkably easier than the capsule described in the international publication WO 2012/1215597 A1. The insert of the capsule of the invention in fact is an independent component that may be manufactured separately from the capsule body by known injection molding processes, which allows to maintain the simple cup shape of the capsule body that may be similarly manufactured by way of injection molding.

On the contrary, the monolithic shape of the capsule according to the international publication WO 2012/1215597 A1 comprising a hollow column, i.e. a stem, and a frustum-conical shaped, perforated bottom wall entails the need for a more complex and expensive injection mold.

Moreover, the direct connection between the frustum-conical bottom and the peripheral wall of the capsule body makes the overall structure rather stiff, thus penalizing on the one hand the ability of the bottom wall to be flattened in order to tear open the film sealing the capsule body and, on the other hand, hindering the axial movement of the column, which might be bent laterally.

The insert of the capsule according to the invention further comprises a cup-shaped element housed in the capsule in a seat formed close to its flanged edge. The cup-shaped element is provided with a central hole wherein the insert stem is slidably fitted. The central hole allows to position the insert inside the capsule body correctly during assembly or packaging and to guide it so as to facilitate its axial movement towards the opening position.

The insert stem and the hole of the cup-shaped element are configured so as to achieve a tight connection in the assembly or packaging condition, whereby the cup-shaped element divides the cavity of the capsule body in two parts, a lower part between the cup-shaped element and the bottom of the capsule body, wherein the granular or particulate product is contained, and an upper part between the cup-shaped element and the cover, wherein a second product, such as milk powder or, more generally, another beverage ingredient, may be advantageously added during assembly or packaging operations.

The portion of the stem that protrudes from the hole formed in the cup-shaped element in the assembly or packaging position has a reduced cross section area, thus allowing passage of a flow of infusion liquid in the opening position of the capsule, as well as of a possible second product, from the upper part to the lower part of the cavity for the preparation of the beverage.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frustum-conical shaped portion of the insert comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in low relief in its mantle. This feature provides the advantage to ease flattening of the frustum-conical portion and the axial movement of the insert stem, thus facilitating punching of the underlying film sealing the bottom of the capsule body.

Another advantage offered by the invention is that the capsule with its insert is usable not only for the preparation of beverages in the form of infusion, but also of beverages based on syrups, liquid and powder concentrates thanks to the possibility of arranging in the two parts of the capsule cavity a base product and an ingredient suitable to complete the beverage, a carbon dioxide additive.

Further advantages, features and modes of employ of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective top view and a perspective bottom view, respectively, of a capsule according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of the capsule of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective top view and a perspective bottom view, respectively, of an insert of the capsule according to the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective top views respectively showing the assembly and opening positions of the insert of the capsule according to the invention, the capsule being shown without its cover;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are longitudinal section views showing the assembly and opening positions of the insert of the capsule according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference initially to FIGS. 1 to 5, a disposable capsule according to the invention is generally indicated by reference number 100.

The capsule 100 comprises a cup-shaped hollow body 110 adapted to receive a measured dose of a granular or particulate product, for example coffee powder, but also liquid concentrates like syrups. The hollow body 110 comprises a bottom 111, a peripheral wall 112 on whose peripheral edge a flange 113 is formed. The cup-shaped, hollow body 110 is sealed by a cover 120 fixed on the flange 113, for example a film made of a polylaminate material, which has the function to seal the cavity of the hollow body 110 in order to allow preservation over time of the granular or particulate product contained therein.

A through opening 114 is formed in the bottom 111 for the dispensing of an infused beverage obtainable from the granular or particulate product, for example an opening having a circular cross-section.

In the illustrated embodiment, the through opening 114 has a funnel shape which facilitates the outflow of an infused beverage, and is reinforced by a plurality of radial ribs 115.

The through opening 114 is sealed by a film 130 applied on the bottom 111 inside the hollow body 110 and made e.g. of a polylaminate material, which defines with its peripheral wall 112 and the cover 120 a closed chamber suitable to preserve the granular or particulate product.

The capsule 100 further comprises an insert 200 housed in its body 110. The insert 200 extends axially from the bottom 111 of the hollow body 110 to the cover 120.

The insert 200 comprises a disc-like portion 210 having a frustum-conical shape with a peripheral edge 211 intended to contact the bottom 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 and a mantle 212 wherein a plurality of through openings 213 are formed so as to allow a flow of an infusion liquid. The through openings 213 are preferably circular or polygonal, for example square as shown in FIG. 4.

The frustum-conical portion 210 further comprises one or more punching elements 214 that protrude axially from its concave portion. In the illustrated embodiment the punching elements 214 are e.g. in the form of sharpened fins arranged so as to form a star shape whose center coincides with the axis of the frustum-conical portion 210.

The insert 200 further comprises a stem 220 that stretches out axially from the top of the frustum-conical, disc-like portion 210, hence from the opposite side with respect to the punching elements 214.

In an assembled configuration of the capsule 100, the peripheral edge 211 of the frustum-conical, disc-like portion 210 of the insert rests on the bottom 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100, so that the punching elements 214 face the film 130 that seals the bottom 111. The insert is configured such that, in an assembly or packaging condition of the capsule 100 as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the punching elements 214 are close to the film 130 without contacting it. In the same assembly or packaging condition shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, at the opposite end in the axial direction the stem 220 stretches out beyond the flanged edge 113, whereby its free end urges the cover providing it with a convex or dome shape.

Now particularly referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, subsequent opening steps of the capsule 100 to allow infusion of the product contained inside it and dispensing of a beverage will be described.

As explained above, the configuration of the stem 220 is such that, in an assembly or packaging configuration of the capsule, its free end urges the cover 120 and provides it with a convex or dome shape. Moreover, still in an assembly or packaging configuration, the punching elements 214 of the disk-like portion of the insert 200 are close to the film 130 that seals the bottom 111 of the capsule 100 without contacting it.

It is known that after a capsule is placed in an infusion chamber of a machine for dispensing infused beverages, the chamber is tightly closed so as to lock the capsule typically at its flanged edge. The cover is compressed and perforated directly in the closing phase or immediately after it by one or more perforation elements in order to allow injection of an infusion liquid.

It will be appreciated that, due to the configuration of the capsule 100 and of the insert 200 described above, compression of the cover 120 causes a displacement of the stem 220 in the axial direction, which results in a deformation of the disc-shaped frustum-conical portion 210 that is flattened thus bringing the punching elements 214 formed thereon towards the film 130, which is consequently torn open. The capsule 100 is thus open both at the cover 120 and at the film 130 and may thus allow a flow of an infusion liquid.

In other words, the insert 200 is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein it presses the cover 120 of the capsule 100 with its stem 220 deforming it outwards, and an opening position, wherein the free end of the stem 220 is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with the flange 113, and the disk-like portion 210 is deformed against the bottom 111, in particular flattened thereon, and the punching elements 214 interfere with the film 130 thus tearing it open.

In order to facilitate flattening of the disk-like, frustum-conical portion 210, its diameter in the assembly condition, i.e. non-deformed, is lower than the diameter of the bottom 111 of the capsule 100, thus defining relative to the peripheral wall a gap suitable to contain the disk-like, frustum-conical portion 210 in the flattened condition, wherein it has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the non-deformed condition.

Moreover, still in order to facilitate flattening of the disk-like, frustum-conical portion 210, a plurality of circumferential grooves 215 are advantageously formed in low relief in its mantle 212.

It will be appreciated that differently from known capsules that are opened due to the pressure exerted by the infusion liquid, i.e. hydraulically, such as the capsule disclosed in the European patent EP 1472156 B1, the capsule 100 according to the invention is opened mechanically and in particular independently of the flow of infusion liquid. Opening of the capsule 100 in fact occurs upon closing of the infusion chamber, well before the infusion liquid is injected therein.

The insert 200 also comprises a cup-shaped element 230, impermeable to liquids, housed in the body 110 of the capsule 100 in a seat 116 formed close to its flanged edge. The cup-shaped element 230 comprises a central hole 231 wherein the stem 220 is slidably fitted.

The central hole 231 allows to correctly position the stem 220 into the body 110 of the capsule 100 during its assembly or packaging, as well as to guide the stem 220 axially facilitating its movement from the assembly position to the opening position.

The guiding function performed by the cup-shaped element 230 is particularly important also considering that the closing lever of an infusion group of a machine for the preparation of infused beverages is generally pivoted aside the capsule seat, so that when during the closing step the cover of a capsule is subjected to an axial load suitable to push the stem 220, as well as to a transverse load that may bend the stem 220 thus hindering its axial movement. By providing an axial guide for the stem 220 arranged close to the cover 120 of the capsule 100, it is thus possible to minimize bending problems of the stem 220 and to ensure its correct operation.

The stem 220 and the hole 231 of the cup-shaped element 230 of the insert 200 have substantially the same diameter so as to achieve a tight coupling in the assembly or packaging configuration of the capsule 100.

Therefore, the cup-shaped element 230 divides the cavity of the body 110 of the capsule 100 into two parts, a lower part between the cup-shaped element 230 and the bottom 111, wherein the granular or particulate product is contained, and an upper part between the cup-shaped element 230 and the cover 120, wherein during packaging a second product or ingredient, such as milk powder or another substance, can be advantageously inserted.

The end portion of the stem 220 that protrudes from the hole 231 of the cup-shaped element 230 in the assembly configuration instead has a reduced cross section area relative to the portion of the stem 220 that engages the hole 231, thus allowing passage of a flow of infusion liquid and of a possible second product, from the upper part to the lower part of the cavity for the infusion of the beverage in the opening configuration of the capsule.

With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment the end portion of the stem 220 is for example formed by a plurality of ribs 221 that define radial cavities 222 through which the infusion liquid can flow when the insert 200 is in the opening position. FIGS. 6 to 9 schematically show the insert 200 in the assembly position and in the opening position, respectively. The arrows of the longitudinal section of FIG. 9 schematically show the path of the infusion liquid through the cavity of the hollow body 110.

Alternatively, the end portion of the stem 220 might comprise a plurality of radial grooves.

Still alternatively, the end portion of the stem 220 might have a tapered shape, for example a frusto-conical shape.

The present invention has hereto been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It will be appreciated that there may be other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set forth below. 

1. A disposable capsule for machines for preparing beverages, said capsule comprising: i) a cup-shaped, hollow body adapted to receive a measured dose of a granular or particulate product, said hollow body comprising a bottom wherein a through opening is formed and a peripheral wall on whose peripheral edge a flange is formed; ii) a cover sealingly fixed on said flange; iii) a film applied on said bottom inside the hollow body so as to seal said through opening; and iv) an insert housed in said hollow body, said insert comprising a frustum-conical disk-like portion in whose mantle a plurality of through openings are formed and in whose cavity punching elements are formed, and a stem axially extending from the top of said frustum-conical disk-like portion, wherein the insert is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein said frustum-conical, disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow body and said stem presses against said cover deforming it outwardly, and an opening position, wherein a free end of the stem is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with said flange, and the disk-like portion is flattened on the bottom and said punching elements interfere with the inner film thus tearing it and wherein the insert further comprises a cup-shaped, liquid impermeable element housed in the body of the capsule in a seat formed close to its flanged edge, said cup-shaped element comprising a central hole wherein the stem is slidably fitted.
 2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the stem and the hole of the cup-shaped element have the same diameter, so that they achieve a tight coupling in the assembly or packaging position, and wherein the stem comprises an end portion having a cross-section of reduced surface area, said end portion protruding from the hole in the assembly or packaging position.
 3. A The capsule according to claim 2, wherein said end portion of the stem is made up of a plurality of radial ribs that define cavities through which an infusion liquid can flow when the insert is in the open position.
 4. A The capsule according to claim 2, wherein said end portion of the stem comprises a plurality of radial grooves.
 5. A The capsule according to claim 2, wherein said end portion of the stem has a frustum shape.
 6. A The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the frustum-conical, disk-like portion of the insert in the non-deformed assembly or packaging condition is lower than the diameter of the bottom of the capsule body.
 7. A The capsule according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of circumferential grooves are formed in low relief in the mantle of the frustum-conical disk-like portion of the insert 